Cartridge dispenser



Sept. 1, 1959 F. GRAY CARTRIDGE DISPENSER s Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 16, 1956 m 6 L .H h K m. r F.

I N V EN TOR. BY

Sept. 1, 1959' F. L. GRAY 2,902,196

CARTRIDGE DISPENSER Filed Nov. 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet Z5 773 I. la 7 k /a l a i 48 38 J m I 4/ m I L 4 ,2

Frank/in L. Gray IN VEN TOR.

United States Fatent Q CARTRIDGE DISPENSER Franklin L. Gray, Homer, N.Y.

Application November 16, 1956, Serial No. 622,671

11 Claims. (Cl. 224-15) This invention relates to a cartridge dispenser and more particularly to a cartridge dispenser of the type which is adapted to be worn by a person having need or use for firearms. 1

For the users firearms cartridges, particularly the small sizes, there is constantly a problem of safely carrying them so that they are kept clean and also readily available for use. Notwithstanding the numerous types of cartridge holders that are known, it is believed that the majority of firearms users either carry their shells loose in their pocket or in the cardboard box within which the cartridges are originally packed for sale. In the latter method the box becomes crushed and the shells eventually work out and are then loose in the pocket. So, in either case, the cartridges are permitted to pick up dirt and get mixed with other items that are carried. In this way it is very likely that some of the shells are lost on the ground or on the floor of the home, thereby creating an obvious hazard.

An object of the present invention is to provide a practical device for carrying and dispensing cartridges wherein it is safe to carry loaded firearms cartridges and to provide a device which will dispense any number of shells in a convenient manner and at the same time keeping the shells clean. Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser that can be supplied with cartridges directly from the manufacturers box without handling each shell individually with the device so constructed that it may be resupplied at any time before or after the device has become completely emptied. Moreover, the cartridge dispenser is such that each cartridge is dispensed directly from its relative position (as supplied in the manufacturers box) in the magazine without the necessity of rolling over or sliding against the next adjacent cartridges. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a cartridge dispenser which has a housing so dimensioned as to be capable of receiving the cartridges from the manufacturers box just as packed by the manufacturer, the

housing having one end open for this purpose and for the subsequently described purposes of dispensing five cartridges at a time into the hand of the user.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which has a housing functioning as a magazine in which cartridges are supplied, together with means for releasing a spring loaded follower to apply yielding pressure at the bottom of the cartridges in the magazine, constantly pressing them against a slide which is adapted to be reciprocated for the purpose of discharging prefer-- ably but not necessarily, the proper number of cartridges to fit in the clip of a rifle. Accordingly, the cartridges are constantly pressed under a spring load, by the follower, and against a part of the slide so that due to the particular design of the slide, upon a single cycle of operation thereof, a layer of cartridges from the supply thereof is extracted. Repeated operations of the slide, as required by the demand for cartridges, will deplete the supply of cartridges. It is one of the principal features of the invention to have a practical device of the nature described and accordingly, it is extremely simple to replenish the supply of cartridges, it being wholly unnecessary to handle them individually but rather, necessary only to tear one end of the box Within which the manufacturer packed the cartridges, fit the torn end of the box in alignment with the open end of the housing and slip the cartridge supply from the manufacturers box into the housing and in the same orientation as supplied by the manufacturer.

I am aware of prior cartridge dispensers capable of discharging a clip load during each discharging operation. But, the prior cartridge dispensers are unfortunately complex and correspondingly expensive to construct. Moreover, a full box of cartridges occupies considerable depth and requires quite a strong spring to provide the necessary biasing force to unload all of them during the normal operation of the cartridge dispenser. To my knowledge, my cartridge dispenser is the only one which has means for locking the spring loaded follower in any position throughout the full length of travel thereof depending on the number of cartridges which remain in the housing. Accordingly, by the removal of a key the follower becomes automatically locked in position depending on the number of layers of cartridges which remain in the housing.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my cartridge dispenser showing the same applied to a hunters belt;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rear part of the dispenser in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of all of the parts of my cartridge dispenser;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dispenser showing the same being loaded with 25 cartridges and with the key in place so as to release the follower which applies a spring load to the bottom layer of cartridges, pressing them upwardly against the slide, this slide being in the non-dispensing or rest position;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view with the slide removed and only partially filled, demonstrating how the follower is locked in a selected position automatically upon withdrawal of the key;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the dis penser showing the slide in position between both ends of a single cycle of dispensing operation;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 77 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 6.

In the accompanying drawings there is a dispenser 10 whose purpose is to transport and dispense cartridges. The dispenser consists. of a housing 12 which is the main enclosure and has provision to receive slide 14 and follower 16, these being the three main parts; Housing 12' functions as a magazine to support the cartridges 18, and includes four side Walls 20, 22, 24 and 26 respectively, and a bottom 28. There are two inwardly opening confronting channels 36' and 32 respectively that are formed integral with the side walls 24 and 26, rising outwardly from the outer surfaces thereof. It is immaterial that the upper ends of the channels 30 and 32 are open, but the bottom ends of the channel are open in order to form entrances 34 and 36 for the ends of key 38. The key is U-shaped, having sides 39 and 40 together with a cross member 41. There are outwardly opening notches 42 and 43 in the sides 39 and 40, the notched parts of the sides being angulated (Figure 4) so as to straddle the inwardly directed projection, there being projections 44 in channel 30 and there being projections 45 in channel 32.

Follower 16 is also generally U-shaped and includes a flat base 48 together with right angularly extending sides 49 and 50'. Resilient latches 51 and 52 are. separated from the sides 49 and 50- by pairs of slots. The latches 51 and 52 are formed by bending the center parts of the sides. 49 and 50 to a generally U-shaped form. The bias of the resilient latches 51 and 52 (Figure is such that they are normally retained in engagement with the teeth 44 and 45 and the presence of the key 38 is required in order to separate the ends of the latches from engagement with the teeth. Accordingly, the dimensioning of the latches 51 and 52 and the sides 39 and 40- of the key are such as to fit neatly in nested relationship within the channels 30' and 32. Spring 54 fits under and presses against the bottom surface of the base 48 and against the bottom 28' of the housing. Spring 54 constantly presses against the follower pushing it against the cartridges 18 (Figure 4).

The upper, open end of the housing 12 has laterally extending rails 57 and 58 which are generally U-shaped in cross-section and which confront each other. A pair of stops 59 and 60 respectively rise from the upper edge of side wall 24 while a similar pair of stops 61 and 62 rise from the upper edge of the opposite wall 26. The stops are on opposite sides of the channels 30 and 32, leaving passageways 63 and 64 open.

Slide 14 consists of a channel which has a plate 66, two short sides 67 and 68, and one end 69. Flanges 70 and 71 protrude laterally outwardly from the sides 67 and 68 and are adapted to be fitted in and slide within the rails 57 and 58 which function as a track. A transverse slot 73 is formed in the panel 66 and constitutes a passageway for the discharge of cartridges 18. An angulated baffle 74 is at one side of the discharge slot 73 and guides the cartridges upwardly through the discharge slot 73. A rather narrow support 76 extends longitudinally down and on the underside of the panel 66 and constitutes a seat against which the cartridges 18 are pressed by the follower 16. The support 76. is of such dimension that it fits between passageways 63 and 64 when the slide 14 is reciprocated. Stops 59, 60, 61 and 62 function as guides for the upwardly moving cartridges while the end wall 69 limits the travel of the slide 64 in one direction. The movement of the slide in the opposite direction is unimpeded inasmuch as the slide is removed by moving it in the opposite direction.

There are means for attaching the housing to the belt 80 of the hunter or other sportsman or any other person having desire or need for the cartridge dispenser 10. Although many means may be adopted, it is preferred that a very simple and practical [fastening expedient be adopted. Accordingly side wall 22 of the housing is formed with reinforcing plates 83 and 84 that have sockets 85 and 86 therein. These sockets accommodate the wire hanger 88 having a part which fits under side wall 26 while the parts 89 and 90 thereof are spaced slightly from the side wall 22. The belt 80, therefore, is adapted to be threaded under side wall 26 with the bights 91 and 92 of the hanger resting on the top edge of the belt.

In order to load the housing, the slide 14 is slipped off the open upper end of the housing 12 and the key 38 is removed. Alternatively the key may be left in place. The end of a cartridge containing box is sawed open and the open end of the box is slipped in registry with the open end of the housing. Then the contents of the box are pushed into the housing thereby pushing follower 16 downwardly against the yielding opposition, of spring 54. If the key has been removed, the latches; 51 and 52 will merely click over the. projections 44 .and 45 with the follower locking in new position each time that the followers move suificiently or inwardly 'of the housing. If the key is left in place, the sliding movement is smoother, but the key must be removed before pressure is released from the non-open end of the cartridge box.

Then the slide 14 has its flanges and 71 fitted in the ends of the rails 57 and 58 and moved to the position shown in Figure 4. This places support 76 directly over the upper layer of cartridges 18. In order to dispense the cartridges, the key 38. is first inserted as described previously. This causes the spring 54 to apply a load onto the bottom of the follower and press the cartridges against the support 76. Then, as the slide is moved from the position shown in Figure 4 to the opposite extreme position, the upper layer 97 of cartridges moves up against the undersurface 98 of the panel 66. Return movement of the slide (slide shown partially returned in Figure 6) causes the cartridges to be moved upwardly by riding over bafiie 74 and through the discharge slot 73 and into the hand of the operator. A? the same time that the slide is moving in this last mentioned direction the support 76 is moved over the top surface. of the next layer 99 of cartridges holding them in the position for subsequent discharging operations. At any time the key may be withdrawn thereby permitting the latches 51 and 52 to become engaged with the nearest projection 44 and 45 and holding the follower in the locked position.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those. skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A cartridge dispenser comprising a housing adapted to receive cartridges directly from a manufacturers box and in the same order as the manufacturer places it in the box, said housing having an open end into which the cartridges are adapted to be inserted, a follower in said housing, resilient means biasing said follower in a direction toward said open end of said housing, means normally holding said follower in a selective one of a plurality of latched positions within said housing, means for releasing said follower latching means, a slide, means mounting said slide on said housing [for reciprocatory movement, a support carried by said slide against which the upper layer of cartridges is adapted to abut, and a slot in said slide through which the cartridges are adapted to be dispensed in response to movement of said slide in one direction.

2. The cartridge dispenser of claim 1 wherein said fol lower latching means includes a pair of latches on said follower, a plurality of inward projections on said housing with which said latches are engageable so that said follower is locked in selected position throughout the length of the housing.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 wherein said means to release said follower latching means comprises a key that has a pair of sides which are insertible between said latches and said projections.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said housing has sides, inwardly directed channels in said sides, said projections being within said channels, and the sides of said key being adapted to be fitted within said channels.

5. The cartridge dispenser of claim 1 wherein said slide has laterally projecting flanges, said housing at its open end having a pair of rails within which said flanges are slidable, and said slide having a wall at one end functioning as a stop to limit the travel of said slide in, one direction, said slide being removable from said housing by moving said slide in the opposite direction.

6. In a cartridge dispenser the combination of a hens-- ing, a spring biased follower in said housing, means for normally latching said follower in selected positions within said housing, said housing having an open discharge end, a slide, a support carried by said slide on said housing extending across said open discharge end and adapted to hold the cartridges within said housing, a discharge slot in said slide, a bafile carried by said slide on the inner side thereof adjacent said discharge slot arranged to guide the cartridges from said housing through said dis charge slot in response to reciprocation of said slide, and means to limit the extent of travel of said slide with respect to said housing and in one direction.

7. In a cartridge dispenser the combination of a housing having side walls, a pair of inwardly opening channels carried by two of said side walls, a follower slidable in said housing, resilient means normally urging said follower toward one end of said housing, latch means carried by said follower to hold said follower in selected positions within said housing, said latch means being located in said channels, and means insertible within said channels for releasing said latch means.

8. In a cartridge dispenser the combination of a housing having side walls, a pair of inwardly opening channels carried by two of said side walls, a follower slidable in said housing, resilient means normally urging said follower toward one end of said housing, latch means carried by said follower to hold said follower in selected positions within said housing, said latch means being located in said channels, and means insertible within said channels for releasing said latch means, a dispensing slide carried by said housing and cooperable with the cartridges in said housing to dispense the cartridges in response to movement of said slide, and said channels having open entrances within which means for releasing said latch means are insertible.

9. In a cartridge dispenser, a housing, a follower in said housing, means connected with said follower and said housing to latch said follower in selected positions within said housing, said housing having an open discharge end, a spring in said housing pushing said follower in one direction so as to constantly apply a yielding force on the cartridges to propel them toward the discharge end of said housing, said housing having a slide extending across said discharge end, said slide including a discharge slot, a support on said slide adapted to hold the cartridges in a depressed position within said housing until said slide is moved at which time the cartridges are adapted to move upwardly, and an angulated baflie carried by said slide on the inner side thereof adjacent said discharge slot adapted to direct the cartridges outwardly therefrom in response to movement in one direction of said slide.

10. In a cartridge dispenser which has a plurality of sides, a bottom, a follower in said sides, a spring biasing said follower to one direction, said housing having an open end toward which said follower is biased by said spring, normally closed latching means for holding said follower within said housing, means for releasing said latching means when about to dispense cartridges from said housing, and a dispensing slide carried by said housing for discharging cartridges therefrom in response to reciprocation of the slide, said dispensing slide including a panel which has a discharge slot extending transversely thereacross, a bafile located near one edge of said slot, a support extending from said baifie toward the end of said slide and adapted to fit on the upper layer of cartridges in said housing, and stops which constitute guides for the cartridges rising upwardly from the open end of said housing and fitting within said slide.

11. In a cartridge dispenser which has a plurality of sides, a bottom, a follower in said sides, a spring biasing said follower to one direction, said housing having an open end toward which said follower is biased by said spring, normally closed latching means for holding said follower within said housing, means for releasing said latching means when about to dispense cartridges from said housing, and a dispensing slide carried by said housing for discharging cartridges therefrom in response to reciprocation of the slide, said dispensing slide including a panel which has a'discharge slot extending transversely thereacross, a baffle located near one edge of said slot, a support extending from said baffie toward the end of said slide and adapted to fit on the upper layer of cartridges in said housing, and stops which constitute guides for the cartridges rising upwardly from the open end of said housing and fitting within said slide, a stop carried by said slide and adapted to contact one wall of said housing to limit the travel of said slide in one direction, said slide being separable from said housing and the discharge end of said housing being so proportioned as to receive cartridges directly from a box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,237,712 Mullins Apr. 8, 1941 2,499,652 Kirby Mar. 7, 1950 2,542,842 Saunders Feb. 20, 1951 

